1.3. Variables

1.3.1. Introduction

Python stores data in variables. To assign data to a variable we use the = sign.

For example,

x = "Alison"

One way to think of variables is to treat them like a box. In the above example, we have a box named x, and the box is storing the value 10.

When we want to use the value x, we look for the box labelled x and extract the contents.

Here is an example:

x = "Alison"
print(x)

Note that the variable x does not have quotes but the string ‘Alison’ does!

1.3.2. Exercises

Question 1

What do you think the output of the following code will be?

name = 'Steve'
print('Hello')
print(name)

Hello

Steve

Hello
name

Hello
Steve

Check answer

Question 2

What do you think the output of the following code will be?

x = '3'
print('My lucky number is')
print('x')

My lucky number is
3

My lucky number is
x

My lucky number is

3

lock This solution is locked.

Question 3

Which of the following are valid? Select all that apply.

print(x)

'message' = Happy Birthday
print(message)

day = 'Monday'
print('Today is')
print(day)

print('I do not like')
print(dislike)
dislike = 'eggs and ham'

Check answer